The Giving Tree

Hardcover | February 18, 2014

The Giving Tree is fifty! Celebrate with this special edition that features a stunning metallic green jacket and a gold anniversary sticker. The Giving Tree, a story of unforgettable perception, beautifully written and illustrated by the gifted and versatile Shel Silverstein, has been a classic favorite for generations.

Since it was first published fifty years ago, Shel Silverstein's poignant picture book for readers of all ages has offered a touching interpretation of the gift of giving and a serene acceptance of another's capacity to love in return.

Shel Silverstein's incomparable career as a bestselling children's book author and illustrator began with Lafcadio, the Lion Who Shot Back. He is also the creator of picture books including A Giraffe and a Half, Who Wants a Cheap Rhinoceros?, The Missing Piece, The Missing Piece Meets the Big O, and the perennial favorite The Giving Tree, and of classic poetry collections such as Where the Sidewalk Ends, A Light in the Attic, Falling Up, Every Thing On It, Don't Bump the Glump!, and Runny Babbit.

Hand picked by our Panel of Experts the IndigoKids Recommends program offers book suggestions designed to help you find the perfect book easily and confidently. A young boy enjoys the shade of a generous apple tree, plays in its branches, eats its apples and the tree soon grows to love the boy. The boy puts more and more demands on th...

From the Publisher

"Once there was a tree . . . and she loved a little boy."The Giving Tree is fifty! Celebrate with this special edition that features a stunning metallic green jacket and a gold anniversary sticker. The Giving Tree, a story of unforgettable perception, beautifully written and illustrated by the gifted and versatile Shel Silverstein, has...

From the Jacket

"Once there was a tree . . . and she loved a little boy." So begins a story of unforgettable perception, beautifully written and illustrated by the gifted and versatile Shel Silverstein.Every day the boy would come to the tree to eat her apples, swing from her branches, or slide down her trunk . . . and the tree was happy. But as the b...

Shel Silverstein 's incomparable career as a bestselling children's book author and illustrator began withLafcadio, the Lion Who Shot Back. He is also the creator of picture books includingA Giraffe and a Half,Who Wants a Cheap Rhinoceros?,The Missing Piece,The Missing Piece Meets the Big O, and the perennial favoriteThe Giving Tree, a...

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Reviews

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Michael from
Everyone needs to read thisIt has an important message about generosity and friendship. This is a classic children's book that needs to be read by everyone.

Date published: 2016-11-30

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Jess from
Great book for all ages!A thought provoking book that kids will like and adults will understand a much deeper meaning.

Date published: 2016-11-28

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Arthi from
There once was boy...I honestly misunderstood the meaning of this book for years until discussing it with a friend last year, but it's fantastic, heartbreaking story. Still don't like the man whom the boy became.

Date published: 2016-11-23

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Rosita from
Amazing bookI read this as a child and loved it. Now that I'm an adult, I love it just as much. It made me sad and hopeful at the same time.

Date published: 2016-11-23

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Cindy from
ClassicA childhood classic. Poignant story about sacrifice and unconditional love. Highly recommended.

Date published: 2016-11-21

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Peter from
HeartwarmingThis touching story about unconditional love is a masterpiece.

Date published: 2016-11-19

Rated 5 out of
5 by
MamaReader from
CaptivatingMy child has loved this book since he was 2 years old. We would read it over and over again. We love this story.

Date published: 2016-11-17

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Katelyn from
Wonderful storyA wonderful story to help teach kids about empathy, the environment...so much more.

Date published: 2016-11-09

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Terra from
Valuable LessonThis book teaches children a valuable lesson in simple words. It's a beautiful story to share with both young and old.

Date published: 2016-11-05

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Missy from
RealisticReading this book is a good way for children to learn how valuable trees are to humans.

Date published: 2016-11-04

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Simran from
HeartwarmingHeartwarming with a beautiful message.

Date published: 2016-10-01

Rated 5 out of
5 by
abutler4280 from
Beautiful StoryMy son and I read this book and we loved it. It is a beautiful and heartbreaking story about a tree's unconditional and sacrificial love for a boy.

Date published: 2016-04-14

Rated 5 out of
5 by
bluewater22 from
loved this bookTied with The Velveteen Rabbit and The Selfish Giant as my favourite book ever.

Date published: 2015-04-06

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Nana from
winnerThere is nothing much to add that hasn't already been said - it is a classic. I used to read Shel Silverstein to my my children and I am glad to carry on the tradition with my grandchildren.

Date published: 2015-01-04

Rated 5 out of
5 by
eloise from
LOVED this bookI read this book over and over again in one night! Such a heart warming book.

Date published: 2014-08-24

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Bthomp from
BeautyI was so glad that I bought this book to add to my Shel Silverstein collection:)

Date published: 2014-06-09

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Donna_Procher from
A ClassicWhen I taught primary grades, I made a point of reading this gem every year to the children. When I became a parent, I bought a copy and read it to them. And now we have grandkids old enough to appreciate it, so I bought copies this year. It is a classic tale of unconditional love.

Date published: 2013-12-23

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Melissa_Fancey from
Wonderful book, this one's a keeperThis is a book that you will want to keep long after your little one has grown up.

Date published: 2012-01-06

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Leah_M from
TouchingMy dad used to read us this book when we were little. I loved this book then, and I still love it now. Its such a touching story that every child should read.

Date published: 2010-03-22

Rated 5 out of
5 by
piafinn from
PoignantWhile it is just a short, little childrens' book that can be read in five minutes, it's one of the sweetest books you can read. I first read it in a bookstore at the urging of a friend. It brought tears to my eyes, right there in the store. I had to buy it, even though my daughter was still a baby and we were quite poor. On the surface, the book appears to be about the relationship of a boy and an apple tree (which is referred to with a feminine pronoun). The boy loves the tree and the tree loves the boy. As the boy grows up, the tree always meets his needs, offering herself willingly because of her love for the boy. As for the deeper meaning, it has been the subject of debate. I think it demonstrates the sacrificial love of parents toward their children. Although you could argue that the boy seems to be selfish and unappreciative of all the tree gives him, that is the nature of children. It's also normal for parents to want to provide for their children. It is a poignant, sweet story. I don't regret buying it.

Date published: 2008-05-02

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Anonymous from
I've loved this book since I was a little girl.Since the day my grade two teacher first read The Giving Tree to my class, I have been in love with the story. As an adult I realize that the messages it sends to readers, young and old, to live and love, and never stop being a kid, is clear and very important. I always wondered whether or not the tree was right in giving the boy everything he needed, and whether or not it was right to want so much from the tree. Either the way, the sadness at the end is real and teaches children to appreciate what they have because you never know if it may be taken away. I also love how Silverstein illustrates the different stages in life; very real and very effective. I will always enjoy this read; for myself, my students and my own children one day.

Date published: 2007-07-17

Rated 1 out of
5 by
Anonymous from
What's in a name?I just don't get it. This is a story of a man's life from boyhood to old age and the life of a glorious tree to its final destiny as a stump - the gift of itself to the man. Both grow and diminsh with the boy only taking and the tree only giving. As this is written in a simple format, I would imagine many a child has heard this story. I think this parable is one that is too complex for a young mind to understand. The Giving Tree does not teach us anything about giving - and that is not something I want to teach to any child.

Date published: 2006-12-01

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Crystal_Donovan from
Most Beautiful Chldren's story everGET THIS BOOK!!!

Date published: 2006-08-01

Rated 3 out of
5 by
Anonymous from
the giving treeThere was a little boy and a tree. The little boy loved the tree. He would swing in the tree's branches and sleep in the tree's shade. Sometimes he would eat apples off the tree, but as time passed, he grew older and older. When he was a teenager he asked the tree to give him money, the tree said "I can't give you money but I can give you apples to sell". He got older and older and he asked for more things, when he was old the tree said "I can't give you anything else because I have already given you everything I have she said sadly. The boy said "that's okay because I only need a quiet place to sit. "Well then", said the tree straightening herself up ''you may sit on me

Date published: 2006-07-26

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Kathene_Henry from
A happy kind of sadThis book is so amazing in it's morals, and just the overall idea behind it. I find this book hard to read without wanting to cry at the tree's pain. It's a great read for kids and adults alike!

Date published: 2006-05-21

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Brandy from
Beautiful book.This is a wonderful book, that should not be overlooked. Its message is wonderful and moving, and a great book for children. I can't say enough of the message in which this book puts forth.

Date published: 2005-05-07

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Erika_Myers from
AmazingIt is incredible the strength of the mind of a child. I walked into Chapters the other day, and I glanced at the book on the shelf...I hadn't read it since I was a child...and it brought a sense of awe, I couldn't even remember why, until I read it again. I truly love this author.

Date published: 2002-05-01

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Book_Worm from
SUPERB!I rated this book 5/5 because it teaches your kid(s) a lesson. This story is about a little boy who always wants something and his friend the tree always gives him all he has (even if it isnt the best)he would do anything to make that little boy happy. The boy always got his way and the tree felt good about himslef because he made someone else happy and that was all that mattered to the tree. When the boy was an elder man.......... WEll I cant go on much longer how about this super book, you read it yourself, it is a great book and my whole class agrees with me.If you do get this book when you finish reading it to your child ask him/her what did you learn? or What was this story about? if they dont understand explain it to them in easy words so they can understand better. This is a great book!

Date published: 2002-01-01

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Kiru from
The Giving TreeOh... what a lovely book. I'm a student teacher and I was in a classroom where the teacher read the book aloud to the children, and I almost broke down in tears! What a touching book. I was so touched that I went out and bought a copy to give to my parents. They are my Giving Tree.

Date published: 2001-04-16

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Stacey_Gleddie from
depth and simplicityShel Silverstein manages to capture the soul of sacrifice in an increadibly simple portrayal of the relationship between a boy and his tree. The book explores the depth of human selfishness, and the selfless sacrifice of Christ. This is a powerful story of sacrifice spurred by love.

Date published: 2001-03-20

Rated 5 out of
5 by
ELISA from
Suitable for AllI was amazed by the power of this book. It's simple wordings and clean pictures can reach the heart of every reader, young or old.It brings out different feelings from readers of different age and life experience.My six years old girl enjoyed this picture book over and over again but I am the one who burst into tears when I went through the pages....and I am not the only one!

Date published: 2001-01-07

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Tina_Hansen from
InspiringThis was one of those books that pulls on the heart strings. I once again gives us a simple yet important lesson in live. I thought it was real cute. A definite quick but needed read

Date published: 2000-12-31

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Lesley_Tait from
Great Book for SharingI have used this book in the classroom with various ages, and find it extremely helpful in getting across the message of sharing. Its a powerful book, and has great hidden meanings that can be explored and discussed as a class.

Date published: 2000-09-09

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Shawna_Youmans from
Meaning For AllThis book was first read to me when I was only 4 years old. My mother had taken it out for me from the local library. I absolutly loved it and still do 16 years later. It gives a message to people of all ages that should be cherished.

Date published: 2000-08-07

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Khat from
The giving treeThere's nothing like it. I recommend this book to anyone and everyone.

Date published: 1999-12-30

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Susan from
Simple eleganceA simple, yet complete representation of unconditional love. Like the love a father has for his child.

Date published: 1999-10-26

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Susan from
Best Book!!!The Giving Tree is the sweetest book i have ever read.

Date published: 1999-05-22

Rated 5 out of
5 by
thomas_wong from
The Giving TreeEcxellent. Forces you to examine the relationships that you depend on but take for granted.

Date published: 1999-05-14

Extra Content

From Our Editors

Hand picked by our Panel of Experts the IndigoKids Recommends program offers book suggestions designed to help you find the perfect book easily and confidently. A young boy enjoys the shade of a generous apple tree, plays in its branches, eats its apples and the tree soon grows to love the boy. The boy puts more and more demands on the tree who gladly obliges. When he needs money, she gives him her apples for him to sell. When he needs a home she suggests he cut off her limbs and use them to build a house. When he is old and bored she offers the rest of herself for a boat so he can sail off. This deeply sad story of self-sacrifice and love will touch your heart. Even though Shel Silverstein wrote The Giving Tree for kids, people of all ages will respond to its message.